Page:Despotism and democracy; a study in Washington society and politics (IA despotismdemocra00seawiala).pdf/260

 Constance, being a clever woman, looked into Michael Mulligan's soul and saw that it was honest, according to his lights, and that his bragging was not bragging at all, but an innocent way of mentioning what the pie business had brought him.

"I am very glad to see you, Senator," she replied, smiling, and then gravely introduced this member of the august Senate of the United States to the group sitting about the tea-table.

Nobody but Thorndyke and Cathcart took in the situation. The Virginia cousins, to whom political preferment means that the object of it belongs to one of the first families in his own home, supposed that Mr. Mulligan, although certainly very odd-looking, had a long line of distinguished ancestors, and it was with much cordiality that an ex-Confederate Colonel, grave and suave, with a snow-white moustache and imperial, shook Mike Mulligan's hand, saying:

"I am pleased, sir, to make your acquaintance, and to bid you welcome upon the soil of old Virginia."

The Frenchman, a retired army officer, and his